Middleware in your digital production environment

A technology to smartly connect your systems

Production companies run on a complex interplay of systems. ERP, MES, PLM or even CAD, where each system has its own role and function. But no matter how good these solutions are individually, they are far from always smoothly integrated with each other.

The result? Inefficiency and frustration. Employees must transfer data manually or make links between systems over and over again. This takes time, increases the risk of errors and slows down your processes. Something you can't use in a market that's getting faster and more demanding.

Middleware is the silent force that solves these bottlenecks. It forms the connecting layer between systems and ensures that they work together flawlessly. Invisible to the user, but essential for a smooth and scalable production environment.

What is middleware?

Middleware is software that connects various applications and systems. You can see it as the glue between separate parts. Where systems normally speak their own language, middleware ensures that they understand each other and can exchange data.

In the production environment, for example, this means that:

• Your ERP system can pass orders to your MES for production.
• Your CRM can share real-time customer data with your service application.
• MES can transfer data directly to dashboards.

When do you need middleware?

Many production companies only realize late that their systems actually don't work well together. However, there are clear signs that you can recognize that middleware is needed.

Imagine...
You are a Engineer-to-Order manufacturer of customized lighting solutions for major new construction projects. A new customer is asking for a customized lighting structure. Calculation and Engineering make the design in CAD, including all technical specifications. Based on this, the sales department draws up a quote, which is found to be approved.

But then it starts.

Off the bill of materials CAD does not automatically enter the ERP system rightly. Someone from work preparation transfers everything manually. One component is accidentally copied incorrectly. This is a small mistake with major consequences.

Meanwhile, it sees MES system not the new order, because there is no direct link to the ERP. The production department is already planning ahead based on old data. The purchasing department is now ordering parts, some of which appeared to be already in stock. Duplicate orders, higher costs.

A week later, the customer calls to ask about the status of their order. The service department has to dig into three systems to find an answer. No one knows exactly where the order is, which parts have already arrived and whether anything has been delayed.

The cause?
All systems work fine but not together. Middelware is the connecting layer that automatically transfers data from one system to another. This way, you ensure that everyone works with the same information. Because the more complex your operation becomes, the more you need middleware.

Why middleware in manufacturing companies?

The example for this shows a rather extreme scenario, but the need for middleware is growing. Manufacturing companies are using more and more systems that have been developed independently. By cleverly connecting these systems, a coherent and flexible IT landscape is created.

Middleware offers manufacturing companies:

• Better collaboration between applications By connecting ERP, MES, CRM and PLM, a smooth process without loose ends is created.
• Flexibility to add new systems Implementing new software? Thanks to middleware, you don't have to build expensive and time-consuming custom interfaces.
• Less dependency on manual links Less customization means less error sensitivity and lower costs.

Case study: Voskamp Group

Previously, Voskamp Group manually link HRM, ERP and access control systems for each customer. Time-consuming, error-prone and not scalable.

The solution?

A generic middleware solution (data broker) that automatically synchronizes data between customer systems and Voskamp's access control.

The result for Voskamp Group

• New customers connected in minutes
• Rights and users processed in real time
• No need for customization
• Secure and local deployment
• Ready for growth

“We were able to provide customers with a scalable solution within 2 months.”

How does middleware work?

At its core, middleware is an intermediate layer that receives data from different systems, standardizes it and forwards it to the right system. This process takes place via:

• Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) Interfaces that use systems to retrieve or transmit data.
• Message queues Technologies that store and send messages so that systems can process information at different times.
• Services and microservices Small parts that perform specific tasks, such as retrieving or sending data.

By cleverly combining these techniques, middleware ensures that processes continue to run smoothly, even if systems are not directly compatible with each other.

More about data & AI

What does middleware deliver?

The benefits of middleware are clear and perfectly suited to the needs of manufacturing companies:

• Less customization and lower costs By using generic links, you can avoid expensive customized solutions.
• Integrate new systems faster and easier Ideal in a world where digitization and technological innovation are happening rapidly.
• Real-time insight and control Data flows directly to the right places, which ensures better decision-making.
• Basis for AI and data-driven work Standardised and accessible data makes it possible to implement smart applications such as predictive maintenance and AI-driven optimizations.

Middleware vs. data broker

Middleware is often mentioned in the same breath as a data broker, but there is a clear difference:

• Middleware is generic. It ensures that systems can communicate with each other at all.
• Data Broker is domain-specific. It determines how communication works, which data goes when and where, and adds business logic.

In simple terms: middleware makes connections possible; a data broker ensures that the information is meaningful and organized as you want.

How does middleware fit into the ideal IT landscape?

Middleware, together with data brokers and data warehouses, forms the foundation of a modern and data-driven IT landscape.

• Do you want to optimize real-time data flows between domain-specific systems? Then read our blog about the Data Broker.
• Do you want to analyze data centrally and use it for strategic control? Then read our blog about the Data warehouse.

These solutions complement each other and ensure that production companies become flexible, scalable and future-proof.

Ready for smart system integration?

Curious about how middleware can help your production environment streamline processes, connect systems and be ready for data-driven growth?

Our Data & AI Scan gives you immediate insight into:

• The maturity of your data landscape.
• Where bottlenecks and opportunities lie in the area of system integration.
• What role middleware and other smart solutions can play for your organization.

Find out via our Data & AI Scan

Frequently asked questions about middleware

When do I choose middleware and when do I choose a data broker?

Middleware provides the generic links between systems — it lays the “cables” between applications, as it were. A data broker adds logic to that: it knows which data to go when, where and how to process it. Use middleware if you want basic connectivity. Use a data broker if your processes and data flows are more complex and require domain-specific rules.

Do I need to replace my existing systems to work with middleware?

No, that's exactly the advantage of middleware. It forms a layer between your existing systems and ensures that they work better together. You keep your ERP, MES or PLM, but the data now flows streamlined between these systems without customization or manual links.

Is middleware suitable for custom companies (ETO/MTO)?

Absolutely. Middleware offers a solution, especially in Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and Make-to-Order (MTO) environments, where many systems work together around unique customer orders. It prevents you from having to build customized solutions every time and ensures a scalable structure in which customer-specific projects also run smoothly.

What does it cost to implement middleware?

The costs depend on the complexity of your IT landscape, the number of systems you connect and whether you opt for standard or customized middleware solutions. The advantage: investing once in middleware prevents expensive links per system and structurally reduces your management costs.

What's the difference between API integrations and middleware?

An API is a technical 'gateway' through which systems exchange data. Middleware uses these APIs, but also offers a complete structure for monitoring, error handling and combining multiple data streams. In short: an API is part of it. Middleware is the system that cleverly connects these components.

How quickly can we implement middleware in our factory?

That depends on the scope, but with a clear system landscape, you can often go live with the first links within a few weeks. A phased approach works best: you start with one or two integrations and then expand gradually.